usually given at the hotel but I had one instance where they had to mail it but I can't for the life of me remember why.. I think it was b/c they either ran out of couldn't find them

Always at the front desk when checking out. Occasionally they run out and mail 'em.

I've had 2 so far, and both times I had to remind them.... That should tell you what to do! :)

JP

As stated, the normal procedure is to hand them out at check-out. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:

1. Don't forget to ask for the cert. Most of the time, the front desk person will not offer to give you your cert. So if you don't "remind" them, you won't get it. And I have not had any luck at getting a hotel to get me a cert after I'm already home and remembered then. :( (I considered it my fault since I forgot to ask at check-out.)

2. Always check the expiration date of the cert they give you. Most hotels will try and use up the oldest cert they have. IOW, you could be getting a cert that has only a few weeks validity left. More than once I have had to ask that I get a cert that has the normal 6 month or more validity on it. They may argue with a little on this and may say they don't have any newer ones, but if you stick to your guns, they will usually find a new one.

3. There have been a few occasions where they really were out of certs. Most hotels will mail you a cert. So don't worry too much, but make sure you have the name of the person who is checking you out and I usually make a note on the receipt myself and have them sign it stating that I am due a cert. That way should there be any "issues" later, I can produce at least some type of documentation showing I didn't receive my cert and that the hotel staff stated they will ship it to me.

Success! I walked back and asked for it and the front desk apologized and brought one out.

I did ask when I checked in but I think she may have thought I was talking about my points because she said it would be posted to my account.

This morning I did express checkout to get to my office at 5 a.m. so I never even stopped by the front desk.

Thanks everyone for your quick responses....case closed. :)

(also...I checked the date...it's good until Dec. 2008)
Deb

crystal city
 

This weekend at the Crystal City (DC) Marriott I was told that they ran out and would mail them.

Hopefully they will do so without a "reminder".

I stayed at the Cardiff Marriott, in the UK, and they had the vouchers there, but told me they only posted them out! I waited two weeks and they sent them recorded delivery, so a big waste of time and money for no apparent reason. All the other hotels I stayed at last year just handed them over, unless they ran out, which never happened last year and we must have stayed on about 20 stays where we could collect one.

Still this was the hotel that held a wedding for some rather rough looking guests (they had to lock the gym to prevent their children running amok) and then discovered that they had been swindled out of a few thousand pounds by them. Maybe they keep them locked away in a safe because of this.

It looks like the Summer VISA promo is back. I just changed a Stay For Breakfast rate on an existing reservation for one with the exact same rate but with the following rate rules:-

Additional Information
This rate includes breakfast for up to 2 adults and children
12 years old and under. In addition, if you reserve and pay
your reservation with your VISA credit card, you will receive a
Visa Olympic Gold Package which includes a coupon good
towards a future 2 night paid weekend stay, dollar amounts
vary based on currency and an Olympics Chopsticks collectible.
Offer not valid in Australia, France and Germany.

It appears under both S4B and OTP codes ^

Courtyard New Carrolton Landover MD
 

I just checked out this morning and asked for my $50 BB that was clearly stated on my reservation (brought my confirmation to the hotel). They all looked at me like I had two heads...including the manager. I had emailed Marriott.com customer service before we left and asked if the BB would be mailed or would I get them at checkout. They said it would be handed to me at checkout. I explained that to the three folks behind the front desk and they disagreed and said "I guess they would mail it to you. We don't have any of those here." I asked them to write that on my checkout papers and sign it w/a title in case it didn't show up. They acted like I was insane, but the manager did sign my folio saying that the BB would be mailed on Monday. I'm sure they will come, but I wanted something stating they DID NOT give it to me at checkout in case I needed to call Marriott about it.

By the way, I would not recommend this facility unless there was nowhere else to stay in the area. And my recommendation has nothing to do with the BB issue.

By whom? Were they trying to tell you that Marriott Corp would be mailing it to you? I ask as your post seems to be saying that the hotel staff, including the manager, have never seen one and has no idea what they are. If that is the case, then how are they mysteriously going to figure it all out and mail you one over a weekend?

A follow-up call to the hotel might be helpful (and getting them in touch with Marriott Customer Service who can help them understand what a BB is and how to hand them out.)

another BB coupon question from a newbie...
 

I've never had the opportunity to use BB coupons before but am about to.

We're planning a weekend trip to the Milwaukee area for Memorial Day. I have 2 coupons...one for $100 and one for $50. Can I use both for our 2-night stay or can you only use one at a time? We're staying at a regular Marriott and they both state they're acceptable there. Just wasn't sure if both can be used at the same time.

Thanks!

Deb

One coupon per 2 nights stay. So if you stay 4 nights you can use 2 coupons.
Since you are staying for 2 nights only, you better use the 100 coupon.

that said, FT'ers had luck with using more than one coupon per stay and you could try submitting one at check in and one at checkout and try.

Thanks! Don't know how I missed it but I just looked again at the back of the coupon and realized that is does say one per stay. But I do like the idea of trying giving them the second one at checkout and seeing what happens. The worst they can say is "no" :)

Thanks for your reply..

Deb

They knew what I was talking about, but they weren't going to give me the BB because they didn't do that/have them. They acted like they couldn't understand why I would be asking them to give me the BB directly, like I was misinformed about the procedure. The manager said that Marriott Corp. would mail it out to me (after I stated that I had already asked spoken with Marriott to find out about when I would be getting the BB).

I emailed Marriott.com customer service last night after we got home to explain the situation and asked them to check into the BB issue.

Remember too that the $100 is only good at FS Marriott - while the $50 is good at any Marriott brand (CY, RI, etc). To make the most of your certs, you should use the $100 for this stay, and save the $50 for another stay in which you might be using one of the other brands.

Although I too have "heard of" more than one BB being accepted for a 2 night stay, I think it is the exception rather than the rule.

Make sure you get a receipt when you turn it in at check-in - not suggesting anyone is dishonest, but if it gets lost you will have no other proof that you turned it in.

One final reminder - BB's should be applied like a cash payment. That means that you should get the amount of points equal to the total of your spend - not spend minus $100.

On the few occasions (like 3) where the hotel said they did not have the certificates, and they would mail them out, they did not. It took many, many calls to get them sent to me. Some of these calls were international.

Now, I pay particular attention to the language of the offer. If it say "BB will be given out when checking out" - I bring that print out to the hotel and insist that I get it before I check out. If not, then I insist that they credit me with the value of the BB/PP on this folio when I check out. That usually gets me my BB/PP right then or an instant discount.

Never leave empty handed.

Billy